TOWAWAYS
What to do if your vehicle has been towed away?
1. Give a call to Tompkins County Dispatch, (607) 266-5660, to find out which towing company has towed your vehicle.
a. Dispatch maintains a list of all tow-aways within Tompkins County for this reason.
2. Once you know which company has towed your car you should contact the company directly for information on picking it up. **(All instructions from here will be based on our specific company policies! For information on other companies please reach out to them.)
a. Picking up your vehicle sooner than later is vital as storage fees are added to tow aways after 24 hours.
b. You must contact us directly and ask for both the fees owed as well as the location. **(Most companies keep tow aways in a secondary secured location separate from their offices)
3. Once you know the cost and location let us know a time that you’ll be available to pick it up. We will arrange for someone to meet you to collect the fees owed and unlock the gate.
a. Note that companies may charge an “After Hours Fee” so be sure to ask or schedule a time within normal business hours. (Monday through Friday 8am - 5pm)
(If you aren’t sure why or if you believe your vehicle was wrongfully towed your best option is to return to the site of the towaway and document if there was a sign, a fire hydrant, or other reason it may have been towed.
b. You can contact leasing managers / property owners to request information on why the tow was requested.
c. Check for any tickets on your windshield and reach out to the officer / police department that provided the ticket. )
What can I expect to pay to retrieve my vehicle?
There are several factors that determine the fees associated with tow-away incidents. Our costs of operation, costs to the city/county, and more.
a. Hook/Drop Fee: $125
b. Tow Fee: $225
c. Storage Fee: $75/day beginning 24 hours after the original tow
d. Dolly / Flatbed Fee: $25
e. After Hours Fee: $25
f. Admin Fee: $35
g. Extended Removal Fee: $25
**Note that not all fees will apply to every tow away but each tow away is subject to any of the above listed fees at the company’s discretion. Additionally all tow aways must be paid in cash.
Who determines this and what if I don’t agree?
For the protection of tow-away customers these fees are discussed annually by local towing companies and 911 dispatch to keep fair fees in place.
a. Think of this cost as ticket/citation costs in lieu of receiving permanent damage to your driving record.
b. Feedback is always accepted by Tompkins County Dispatch regarding these fees.
c. Customers may request an itemized bill after the vehicle has been retrieved.
Based on the company; the receipt you receive will vary but through us you can expect for our company to request an email and provide a digital receipt within 24 hours of request.
Why did no one contact me before the vehicle was towed?
As outlined in the tow-away agreement with Tompkins County it is the responsibility of whoever requested the tow to make an attempt to contact the vehicle owner before requesting a tow. However, they often do not know the driver and cannot find contact information without entering the vehicle. If a police officer is involved they will make an attempt to contact you before the vehicle is towed. If contact is not successful it is the towing company’s responsibility to report the tow away to Tompkins County Dispatch where it will be added to the tow log. If you believe for any reason your vehicle may have been towed it is always best practice to contact them first at (607) 266-5660.
Release Forms:
Please note that our company will require all visitors to our yard to fill out a release form before retrieving their vehicle. Our drivers will have these readily available and will NOT allow access to the yard without them. The information is stored digitally in our company impound log and will not be released except to the driver who filled out the form after they provide identification.
To streamline this process you may email us at ktnracct@gmail.com to receive a digital form before you retrieve your vehicle.
1. Give a call to Tompkins County Dispatch, (607) 266-5660, to find out which towing company has towed your vehicle.
a. Dispatch maintains a list of all tow-aways within Tompkins County for this reason.
2. Once you know which company has towed your car you should contact the company directly for information on picking it up. **(All instructions from here will be based on our specific company policies! For information on other companies please reach out to them.)
a. Picking up your vehicle sooner than later is vital as storage fees are added to tow aways after 24 hours.
b. You must contact us directly and ask for both the fees owed as well as the location. **(Most companies keep tow aways in a secondary secured location separate from their offices)
3. Once you know the cost and location let us know a time that you’ll be available to pick it up. We will arrange for someone to meet you to collect the fees owed and unlock the gate.
a. Note that companies may charge an “After Hours Fee” so be sure to ask or schedule a time within normal business hours. (Monday through Friday 8am - 5pm)
(If you aren’t sure why or if you believe your vehicle was wrongfully towed your best option is to return to the site of the towaway and document if there was a sign, a fire hydrant, or other reason it may have been towed.
b. You can contact leasing managers / property owners to request information on why the tow was requested.
c. Check for any tickets on your windshield and reach out to the officer / police department that provided the ticket. )
What can I expect to pay to retrieve my vehicle?
There are several factors that determine the fees associated with tow-away incidents. Our costs of operation, costs to the city/county, and more.
a. Hook/Drop Fee: $125
b. Tow Fee: $225
c. Storage Fee: $75/day beginning 24 hours after the original tow
d. Dolly / Flatbed Fee: $25
e. After Hours Fee: $25
f. Admin Fee: $35
g. Extended Removal Fee: $25
**Note that not all fees will apply to every tow away but each tow away is subject to any of the above listed fees at the company’s discretion. Additionally all tow aways must be paid in cash.
Who determines this and what if I don’t agree?
For the protection of tow-away customers these fees are discussed annually by local towing companies and 911 dispatch to keep fair fees in place.
a. Think of this cost as ticket/citation costs in lieu of receiving permanent damage to your driving record.
b. Feedback is always accepted by Tompkins County Dispatch regarding these fees.
c. Customers may request an itemized bill after the vehicle has been retrieved.
Based on the company; the receipt you receive will vary but through us you can expect for our company to request an email and provide a digital receipt within 24 hours of request.
Why did no one contact me before the vehicle was towed?
As outlined in the tow-away agreement with Tompkins County it is the responsibility of whoever requested the tow to make an attempt to contact the vehicle owner before requesting a tow. However, they often do not know the driver and cannot find contact information without entering the vehicle. If a police officer is involved they will make an attempt to contact you before the vehicle is towed. If contact is not successful it is the towing company’s responsibility to report the tow away to Tompkins County Dispatch where it will be added to the tow log. If you believe for any reason your vehicle may have been towed it is always best practice to contact them first at (607) 266-5660.
Release Forms:
Please note that our company will require all visitors to our yard to fill out a release form before retrieving their vehicle. Our drivers will have these readily available and will NOT allow access to the yard without them. The information is stored digitally in our company impound log and will not be released except to the driver who filled out the form after they provide identification.
To streamline this process you may email us at ktnracct@gmail.com to receive a digital form before you retrieve your vehicle.
Extra Information
Tompkins County Towing Agreement:
https://ecode360.com/8393670
City Of Ithaca Street Cleaning:
https://www.14850.com/032819155-street-cleaning-2103/
City If Ithaca Towing Agreement:
http://www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter/View/11947/Tow-Service-Requirements-and- Policy-3-04-2020?bidId=
City Of Ithaca Towing Information: http://www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter/View/12965/GO-520-Towing-Motor-Vehicles? bidId=
Ithaca College Parking Citation Repeal Information:
https://www.ithaca.edu/public-safety-and-emergency-management/parking-services/parkin g-citation-payment-and-appeals-information
Ithaca College Parking Information: https://wwwcdn.ithaca.edu/file-download/download/public/49060
Cornell University Boot / Tow Program Information:
https://fcs.cornell.edu/departments/transportation-delivery-services/parking/paying-appealing-citations/boottow-program
Grassroots Musical Festival Parking Information: https://www.grassrootsfest.org/directions-parking
https://ecode360.com/8393670
City Of Ithaca Street Cleaning:
https://www.14850.com/032819155-street-cleaning-2103/
City If Ithaca Towing Agreement:
http://www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter/View/11947/Tow-Service-Requirements-and- Policy-3-04-2020?bidId=
City Of Ithaca Towing Information: http://www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter/View/12965/GO-520-Towing-Motor-Vehicles? bidId=
Ithaca College Parking Citation Repeal Information:
https://www.ithaca.edu/public-safety-and-emergency-management/parking-services/parkin g-citation-payment-and-appeals-information
Ithaca College Parking Information: https://wwwcdn.ithaca.edu/file-download/download/public/49060
Cornell University Boot / Tow Program Information:
https://fcs.cornell.edu/departments/transportation-delivery-services/parking/paying-appealing-citations/boottow-program
Grassroots Musical Festival Parking Information: https://www.grassrootsfest.org/directions-parking